Law to require report of PTSD-related claims for state workers

Vermont Gov. Phil Scott signed into law Thursday legislation to allow for investigation and sanctions for the misclassification of workers and require the development of a committee to study workers compensation claims for mental conditions filed by state workers.

S.B. 108, sponsored by Democratic Sen. Christopher Pearson, modifies current law to allow the attorney general to investigate complaints of an employer committing a willful, substantial or systemic violation of failing to properly classify employees and may sanction employers for unlawful misclassification.

The bill would also require several state agencies to collaborate on and submit a written report to the legislature on workers compensation claims submitted by state employees relating to post-traumatic stress disorder or other mental conditions on or before Jan. 15, 2021. The legislation would require the report to examine the occurrence and frequency of such claims, identify professions with a heighted risk of exposure to traumatic situations or stress, detail current prevention or education plans related to PTSD and identify specific training and materials that could be implemented to better recognize PTSD symptoms and educate workers on resources available.

Finally, the bill would require the Commissioner of Labor to post online and email information on or before Oct. 15, 2020, educating workers and employers about the ability of an injured worker to receive compensation for the cost of prescribed over-the-counter medications, and to make such information available to all licensed health care professionals and pharmacists.